Were their any teen moms here?? Re: NS project

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.

I am trying to get some more ideas. We have an education project for our pediatric class. Picking an age group and something to educate them on. I am picking Teen parents, I plan on picking a general overview of topics to cover in my teaching plan for this group since their are a lot of important things that come in hand when caring for children and the children of teens are more at risk for certain things. This is a topic dear to me.

Anyway, if you were a teen parent, looking back now and learning what you have learned, are their things you have learned now that you wish you would have been taught back when you were in that situation?

Thanks for your input, I want to make sure I cover a good variety of things.

So far I am thinking about things I have seen a lot of IE:

Second hand smoke, especially in cars or at gatherings that people have brought their kids to which also includes the risk of leaving ashtrays and beverages used as ashtrays down low where children might pick up and drink not realizing whats in it.

Nutrition, seen a lot of toddlers with packs of gum, cans of pepsi, bags of candy, etc etc.

Shaken Baby syndrome and the importance of taking a time out if your upset. I know teenagers don't always thoroughly think about consequences and can act in the heat of the moment too easy.

The importance of well child check ups and resources available if money or transportation is an issue.

These are things I have seen more of in the Teen parent community, I would love to get some more ideas of important issues that people might overlook in helping this culture.

If you weren't a teen parent, please don't feel excluded, if you have something I am open to all opinions.

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Specializes in NICU.

My sister had a son at 19, and she wasn't really ready for that maturity-wise.

she didn't understand the importance of a balanced diet during pregnancy

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I had my first child when I was 19. My boyfriend (now husband) and I were only together a year when I got pregnant. I knew, even at the time that I was so far from ready to be a parent. But I was not going to become a statistic. I was really aware of all the things you mention and I was determined not to become a part of it. I never smoked or drank around my daughter, made sure that she had the best diet, and living conditions I could give her. She's 3 now and we have a great life:) I think so many teen parents don't realize the responsibility of raising a child. They want to have the same life as before, even with a baby. But of course their are many wonderful teen mmoms who do a great job raising their children. I tried my best to be one of them. Best of luck with you project!:)

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Specializes in NICU.

I have nothing against teen moms--My grandmother was a fantastic teen mom in a time where that was a social taboo and resulted in her getting kicked out. It's just that my sister has some emotional and psychiatric issues.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I had my first child when I was 19. My boyfriend (now husband) and I were only together a year when I got pregnant. I knew, even at the time that I was so far from ready to be a parent. But I was not going to become a statistic. I was really aware of all the things you mention and I was determined not to become a part of it. I never smoked or drank around my daughter, made sure that she had the best diet, and living conditions I could give her. She's 3 now and we have a great life:) I think so many teen parents don't realize the responsibility of raising a child. They want to have the same life as before, even with a baby. But of course their are many wonderful teen mmoms who do a great job raising their children. I tried my best to be one of them. Best of luck with you project!:)

That was me, I got pregnant at 15 (on purpose) and had my son at 16 and I was determined not to be a statistic. I thought about talking to at risk teens but decided against it, I didn't want a young girl to get the impression that since things turned out well for me, she should go ahead and try to have that baby. I went to alternative HS though with a lot of teen moms and all my friends were teen moms as well and I saw a LOT of bad stuff that seemed very much the norm for this particular culture.

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
I have nothing against teen moms--My grandmother was a fantastic teen mom in a time where that was a social taboo and resulted in her getting kicked out. It's just that my sister has some emotional and psychiatric issues.

I never got them impression you had anything against teen moms:) I had a lot of issues myself, it was a big reason why I tried to get pregnant and thought at 15 a baby was the answer LOL My lookout in life was much different though once I got pregnant and after I had my son. I wasn't near as mature as I "thought" I was. But I still was pretty mature for kids my age (well like I said, besides thinking a baby was a solution to my traumatic life) but meaning once the baby came. I have no regrets, but it for sure isn't something I would encourage. It's scary for me to think that if my son followed my path (as I followed my bio moms, and grandmothers and great grandmothers) it would mean I could be a grandma in 2 years and I have a 3 year old daughter. :|

Hopefully it doesn't happen though. He has had a much better life and support then I ever had. So he has a shot!

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Had my first child at 17, second child at 21, went to nursing school, graduated with my RN at 23 and had my third child at 25. I was very mature for my age and very interested in learning as much as possible about how to be a good mom. I had no problem understanding the main things about being a mom:

Don't shake the baby, he/she shouldn't sleep with you, breastfeed if you can for as long as you can, when and how to introduce certain foods, NEVER feed a baby water (formula was different a long time ago and most parents DID give us water between feedings but NOW formula is made pretty watered down already so if baby is hungry, give him/her formula even if he/she 'shouldn't still be hungry'; babies need the nutrition and the calories, babies don't need to be rinsed out so that their blood sugar drops), sugar water is NOT the best for constipation, a teaspoon of prune juice in a 2 oz bottle of formula IS... I learned all that...

I think after these initial points (along with the ones already mentioned) have been introduced, parents need to be encouraged to continue learning. No matter what you learn you can always learn more. I wish someone had told me the not so obvious things about having children... Like how first time parents, especially young parents, are likely to expect the baby/child to grow up too quickly. (They don't have anything to compare with.) I didn't really have any idea how socially mature or physically coordinated children could be and I made the mistake of expecting too much out of my baby. For example, I didn't know that an 18 month old shouldn't be asked to clean up toys or messes. He especially shouldn't be expected to know how to do it right! I didn't know that some dyslexia is common and completely normal for a 5 year old. I didn't realize that time outs should be limited to one minute per year of age (two minutes for a two year old). Suggest that the parents-to-be join babycenter or what-to-expect websites (if they have access) for free so they can continually be aware of what milestones baby should reach at what age. Remind them that even though moms and grandmothers may try to help and may be convinced that they know more than you, research has come a long way and we now know that a lot of stuff that we 'used to do' is now a bad idea.

And just for the record, my oldest son is now 9 and he seems to have turned out alright so far despite what I might have done to him:D... Thank God!

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
Had my first child at 17, second child at 21, went to nursing school, graduated with my RN at 23 and had my third child at 25. I was very mature for my age and very interested in learning as much as possible about how to be a good mom. I had no problem understanding the main things about being a mom:

Don't shake the baby, he/she shouldn't sleep with you, breastfeed if you can for as long as you can, when and how to introduce certain foods, NEVER feed a baby water (formula was different a long time ago and most parents DID give us water between feedings but NOW formula is made pretty watered down already so if baby is hungry, give him/her formula even if he/she 'shouldn't still be hungry'; babies need the nutrition and the calories, babies don't need to be rinsed out so that their blood sugar drops), sugar water is NOT the best for constipation, a teaspoon of prune juice in a 2 oz bottle of formula IS... I learned all that...

I think after these initial points (along with the ones already mentioned) have been introduced, parents need to be encouraged to continue learning. No matter what you learn you can always learn more. I wish someone had told me the not so obvious things about having children... Like how first time parents, especially young parents, are likely to expect the baby/child to grow up too quickly. (They don't have anything to compare with.) I didn't really have any idea how socially mature or physically coordinated children could be and I made the mistake of expecting too much out of my baby. For example, I didn't know that an 18 month old shouldn't be asked to clean up toys or messes. He especially shouldn't be expected to know how to do it right! I didn't know that some dyslexia is common and completely normal for a 5 year old. I didn't realize that time outs should be limited to one minute per year of age (two minutes for a two year old). Suggest that the parents-to-be join babycenter or what-to-expect websites (if they have access) for free so they can continually be aware of what milestones baby should reach at what age. Remind them that even though moms and grandmothers may try to help and may be convinced that they know more than you, research has come a long way and we now know that a lot of stuff that we 'used to do' is now a bad idea.

And just for the record, my oldest son is now 9 and he seems to have turned out alright so far despite what I might have done to him:D... Thank God!

You made a lot of great points, although my opinion on Co Sleeping differ, I know for me physically, I am glad I had my babies young. I had my first 3 boys, 16, 20 and 22. Ok excluding the 16 and strictly physical I did great. I had my daughter at 27 and man that wore me out LOL. Worst pregnancy I had and totally drained me. Props tot he moms that wait until their 30's to have kids. I couldn't believe how different it was for me on that aspect.

Anyway, back on topic, thanks for some great ideas. My son is about to be 14 and a really good kid, I am congratulated a lot from his teachers and his friends parents on what a good, happy, respectful kid he is.

Although, now that he is becoming a teenager he is morphing into some other child :|

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Oh no no no!!! I just meant that we're TOLD not to sleep with our babies... Bad things that CAN happen and all... I didn't mean for it to sound like I don't think they should sleep with us... I still haven't gotten them all kicked out of the bed yet... LOL!

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Well I am not a teen mom, however I would suggest talking about the importance of breastfeeding. Good luck on your project! :)

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Specializes in Emergency Dept. Trauma. Pediatrics.
Well I am not a teen mom, however I would suggest talking about the importance of breastfeeding. Good luck on your project! :)

I would be talking to parents in school most likely that already had their children, so their kids would be a minimum of probably 4 weeks old. That is why I didn't include talking about the importance of BF'ing. it's something that needs to start at birth. If their are pregnant moms I will for sure go over that too though!

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Specializes in NICU.

If the kid cries alot, don't be afraid to put them down in their crib and go out side for a couple minutes.

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